Road finishing apparatus



April 21, 1936. J. H. MOSEL 2,038,493

ROAD FINISHING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 26, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Josep/r H. Masai y- W I ATTORNEYS.

April 21, 1936. J. H. MOSEL ROAD FINISHING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 INVENTOR 7 Joseph H. Mose/ l B AM r W ATTORNEYS.

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A ril 21, 1936. J. H. MOSEL 2,038,493

ROAD FINISHING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 1934 I s Sheets-Sheet 3 H INVENTOR.

' Joseph /7. Masai BY My. 0W7,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 21 1936 v ROAD FINISHING APPARATUS Joseph H. Mosel, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The corporation of Ohio .Jaeger Machine Company, Columbus, Ohio, a

Application November 26, 1934, Serial No. 754,813

Claims.

My invention relates to road finishing apparatus. It has to do, more specifically, with a screed unit for road finishing machines which will effectively finish the surface of a layer of plastic material, such as concrete or asphalt, and will impart the desired crown thereto.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a screed unit which may be supported on a machine by means of a plurality of thrust membersextending rearwardly from the-screed unit in such a manner that the screed unit may be reciprocated transversely of the machine, the supporting means for the screed unit being of such a nature that the screed unit may be reciprocated transversely in a straight line rather than in an arc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a screed unit which has a finishing surface that may be easily and quickly adjusted so that it will produce accurately any desired and predetermined crown on the surface being finished.

Another object of my invention is to provide a screed unit which has a finishing surface that may be tilted bodily so that its forward edge is higher than its rearedge or which may be bent in such a manner that its forward edge is higher than its rear edge in order to obtain a troweling action' on the material being finished.

Another object of my invention is to provide a screed unit which is of a rigid structure so that it will readily withstand all the forces to which it is subjected and which is of such a nature that when the finishing surface. thereof is adjusted to produce the proper crown or is tilted 35 to produce a troweling action it will retain such adjustments even though it is subjected to comparatively great forces.

Another object of my invention is to provide a screed unit having means for adjusting the 40 surfacing member thereof to the desired crown or to tilt it, the adjusting means being of such a nature that the stresses produced in adjusting the surfacing member. will be evenly distributed throughout such member.

In its preferred form my invention contemplates the provision of a screed unit which is mounted on a machine adapted" to move along a surface to be finished. This screed unit is supported on the machine by means of a plurality of radius members which have their forward ends pivoted to the rear side of the screed unit and which have their rear ends pivoted to the machine. Means is provided for reciprocating the screed unit transversely of the machine. In order 55 that the screed unit will reciprocate transversely in a straight line rather than in an arc, I provide what may be termed a floating pivot point at one end of each of the radius members.

The radius members are of such a nature that they may be adjusted to tilt the entire screed 5 unit. The screed unit is provided with a finishingsurface of substantial width and means for curving the finishing surface throughout its length to produce the desired crown in the surface to be finished. Also, means is provided for 10 adjusting the finishing surface in such a manner that it will be inclined longitudinally of the machine with its forward edg'e higher than its rear edge or the finishing surface may be bent so that its forward edge will be higher than its rear edge, thereby producing a troweling action on the material being finished. The adjusting means is of such a nature that the stresses produced in bending the finishing surface will be distributed evenly throughout it and when once adjusted the finishing surface will retain such adjustment until it is manually changed.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, more or less diagrammatic, of a road finishing machine with a screed unit, made in accordance with my invention, mounted on the front end thereof.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail in perspective of the means for connecting the screed unit to the machine.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a portion of a screed unit made in accordance with my invention, showing how it is supported on the machine.

Figure 5 is a plan view of my screed unit and the means for securing it to the machine.

Figure 6 is a transverse section, taken substantially on line G6 of Figure 5, through the screed unit.

Figure '7 is a view of the screed unit taken substantially along line 'l'| of Figure 6. 4.)

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail in plan elevation showing the floating pivot which is provided at the forward end of each of the radius members in order that the screed unit will be reciprocated transversely in a straight line rather than in an arc.

Figure 9'is a transverse section of the screed unit showing how the surfacing member thereof may be inclined longitudinally of the machine in 55 such a manner that its forward edge will be higher than its rear edge.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 and illustrating how the rear portion of the surfacing member may be bent downwardly while the front portion thereof may remain horizontal.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of the screed unit illustrating how the surfacing member may be curved throughout its length so that the desired crown will be produced onthe surface flnished by the screed unit.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, I show a finishing machine which comprises a frame I supported at its four corners by flanged traction wheels 2 which may operate on side forms placed along the edge of the surface to be finished. A screed unit, which may be indicated generally by the reference character 3, is shown supported at the front end of the machine. This screed unit is mounted on the machine for reciprocation transversely thereof, in a manner to be described subsequently.

As shown best in Figures 3 to '7 inclusive and 9 j to 11 inclusive, the screed unit embodies a pair of transversely extending beams 4 which extend for substantially the entire width of the machine. These transversely extending beams may be tied together by a plurality of bars of metal 5 spaced longitudinally of the beams and riveted or otherwise secured to the upper edges of the beams. A plurality of similar bars of metal 6 are riveted or otherwise secured to the lower edges of the beams at suitably spaced intervals. The bars 5 on top of the beams are in line with the bars 6 disposed beneath the beams. These bars hold the beams together in spaced relation and each end of each bar projects outwardly past the corresponding side surface of the beam as indicated at I. A plurality of bars of metal 8 are arranged adjacent to the bars 5 at the upper edges of the beams and are riveted thereto. These bars 8 aid the bars 5 and 6 in securing the beams together.

The surfacing member of the screed is formed by a metallic plate 9 which extends substantially the entire width of the machine. This plate member 9 has an upturned flange ID at its rear edge and an upturned flange H at its forward edge. These flanges serve to reinforce the surfacing plate member 9. The lower edge of a front plate member I2 is welded or otherwise secured to the flange H at the forward edge of the member 9. This upstanding plate member is of substantial height and has a rearwardly turned flange l3 at its upper edge which serves to reinforce this plate member. The plate member l2 and the plate member 9 are of the same length.

The unit embodying the plate members 9 and I2 is tied to the unit embodying the transverse beams 4 by means of a plurality of tie rods or pull rods l4. The lower ends of these rods H are pivotally connected to the upper surface of surfacing member 9, as indicated at l 5, so that the surfacing member 9 may be tilted on the beam unit in such a manner that its forward edge will be higher than its rear edge. The rods l4 pass up through openings formed in the bars of metal 8, on top of the beams 4, midway between the ends thereof. The upper ends of these rods are threaded and nuts l6 are threaded thereon above the bars 8. Thus, the unit embodying plate members 9 and I2 is tied to-the beam unit by the rods M which are arranged at longitudinally spaced intervals. By adjusting rods I4, the unit embodying plates 9 and [2 may be raised or lowered relative to the beam unit and since the lower ends of the rods are pivotally connected to the plate v unit it may be tilted relative to the beam unit.

A thrust bolt ll passes through an opening in the projecting portion I of the bar 5 on top of the beams and its lower end is threaded through a corresponding opening formed in the projecting portion of the bar 6 disposed directly therebelow. One of these bolts is disposed at each side of the beam unit adjacent each tie or pull rod H. The lower ends of the thrust bolts I! contact with the upper surface of the plate 9.

It will be apparent from'Figure 11 that by proper adjustment of the tie rods or pull rods I4 and of the thrust bolts ll, the plate member 9 may be curved throughout its length so that it will produce an accurate predetermined crown on the surface which it finishes. Also, it will be apparent that when this plate is bent so that it will be curved throughout its length by adjusting rods l4 and bolts H, the stresses on the plate will be equally distributed throughout the length thereof. Furthermore, when the plate is once adjusted to the proper crown it will retain such adjustment until it is adjusted manually to a different crown. This adjustment, however, may be easily and quickly made.

The adjustment of rods l4 and thrust bolts ll may also be used to tilt the plate member 9 so that its rear edge will be lower than its front edge. Because of the fact that the lower-end of rods l4 are pivoted to the plate 9, the entire plate may be swung bodily around these pivot points so that it will be inclined as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 9. In inclining or tilting the 3 plate in this manner, it is merely necessary to screw the line of bolts IT at the rear of the beam unit downwardly and the line of bolts IT, in front of the beam unit upwardly so that the plate member 9 will pivot around the pivot points l5, as indicated in Figure 9. Thus, the forward edge of plate 9 will be higher than the rear edge thereof but it will be gradually inclined downwardly from its front edge to its rear edge. This gives a troweling action for maximum surfacing ability and serves to compact the material.

In some instances it may be desirable to adjust the plate 9 in such a manner that its forward half will be disposed horizontally while its rear half will be inclined downwardly so that the rear edge will be lower than the front edge, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 10. To do this, the forward thrust bolts I I are adjusted relative to rods l4 so that the forward portion of the plate 9 will be horizontally disposed and not bent. The thrust bolt I! at the rear, will be adjusted downwardly to such an extent that the rear portion of the plate will be bent downwardly, as indicated by the dotted line. Thus, the rear edge of the plate 9 will be lower than the front portion thereof and a troweling action will be obtained.

The adjustments illustrated by Figures 9 and 10 may be obtained without destroying the crown produced in the plate 9 throughout its length. It will be understood that producing the crown in the plate 9 also produces a corresponding crown in the lower edge of plate l2 since these two plates are secured together as one unit.

In order tostrengthen the forward plate l2 and to aid in preventing rearward movement thereof when the screed advances through the material, I provide a plurality of L-shaped brackets I20 spaced at intervals longitudinally of the plate. These L-shaped brackets have their horizontal nections, there will be no interference with the various adjustments of the screed.

The means for mounting the screed unit on the machine will now be described in detail. As previously pointed out, the screed unit is mounted in such a manner that it may be reciprocated transversely of the machine. Furthermore, this transverse reciprocation will be in a straight line rather than in an arc, due to the novel means which I provide for connecting the screed unit to the machine.

As shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, the screed unit is supported on a beam orv plate It at the front end of the machine. This beam or plate l3 has a pair of outwardly projecting supporting the surfacing member of arms l6 bolted or otherwise secured thereto. One

arm is secured adjacent each end of the screed unit and the outer end of each arm has a roller 20 rotatably mounted thereon. These rollers are adapted to contact with the rear surface of the rear beam 4 of'the screed unit and aid a plurality of radius rods 2| in taking the thrust forces developed when the screed unit is pushed through the material being finished. The radius rods 2| serve to connect the screed unit to the machine in such a manner that it may be reciprocated transversely.

I preferably provide a pair of radius rods 2| adjacent the top of the screed unit and a pair of similar radius rods adjacent the bottom of the screed unit. The bottom radius rods are in line with the top radius rods. Each radius rod has a turnbuckle 2|a incorporated therein for varying the length thereof. Each of the radius rods has its rear end pivotally connected to the plate or beam It on the machine, as indicated at 23a. The forward ends of each of the radius rods is connected to the screed unit by what may be termed a floating pivot connection which will now be described in detail.

As previously stated, this floating pivot connection is provided so that the screed unit will swing transversely in a straight line and will be prevented from swinging in an arc. This connection is best shown in Figure 3. The forward end of each of the upper radius rods 2| is pivotally connected to a bearing 22, as at 23, so that the rod may pivot in a vertical plane. This bearing member 22 is rotatably mountedon the upper end of a pivot pin 24. This pivot pin 24 is of considerable length and its lower end is supported in theforward portion of a yoke member 25. It passes through aligning openings formed in the legs of a narrowed portion 26 of the yoke member. A second bearing member 21 is disposed in the narrowed portion 26 of the yoke and the pin 24 passes theret'hrough in such a manner that the bearing member may rotate on the pin. Suitable means is provided for preventing the pin from dropping out of the bearing members.

The pin 24 and the yoke member 26 are dis-. posed between the beams 4 of the screedunit.

The rear ends of the legs of the yoke member are pivotally connected as at 28 to the flanges of the rear beam 4. The pivot points 23 align with each other. The forward end of each of the lower ramember 21 so that the radius rod may piv in a vertical plane.

The bearing member 22 at the upper end of the pin 24 has a forwardly projecting bifurcated arm 3| formed integrally therewith. It also has another arm 32 projecting forwardly .therefrom but which is slightly longer. This arm 32 extends above the upper edge of theforward beam 4. A plate 33 is fastened on the upper edge of this beam 4 and in spaced relation thereto and the arm 32 is adapted to oscillate in this space, as will later appear. Because the arm 32. extends into the space between plate 33 and the upper edge 'of beam 4. the bearing member 22 will be held adjacent the upper end of pin 24. The plate 33 has upturned flanges-34 at each end each of which has an opening disposed therein (Figure 8). A pair of rods 36 have their inner ends pivotally connected to the bifurcated arm 3| of bearing 22 as at 36 and their outer ends passing through the openings in flanges 34. These rods 35 may slide back and forth in such openings. An abutment 31 is formed on each rod and a compression spring 33 1s mounted in surrounding relation to the rod and isdisposed between said abutment and the flange 34. These springs balance each other and normally tend to maintain the arm 3| midway between the flanges 34.

The operation of this floating pivot connection for connecting the forward ends of the thrust rods to the screed unit will be best seen from Figures 3 and 8. When the screed unit is reciprocated transversely, the rods 2| swing about the pivot points 23a at the rear end thereof. Because the forward ends of the rods 2| swing in an are when the screed unit is reciprocated transversely, the screed unit would also be reciprocated in an arc if the forward ends of the rods were nection. However, with the floating pivot con- I nection which I have provided, the screed unitwill reciprocate transversely in a straight line and not in an arc. v

When the screed unit is reciprocated and the forward ends of the rods 2| swing in an arc, the pivot point 24 floats in a corresponding arc, as indicated in Figure 8. This is because the yoke member 25 will swing.around its pivot points 23 and, consequently, permit swinging of the pivot pin 24 in an arc since it is carried by the outer free end of said yoke. This movement is illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 8. Thus, the pivot pin floats or swings in an arc which compensates for the arcuate swinging of the forward ends of rods 2| and, consequently, permits transverse reciprocation of the screed unit in a straight line.

The arm 32 on the bearing member 22 oscillates in the space between plate 33 and the upper edge of beam 4. It is of such a length that it will always extend into said space throughout the extent of its swinging action. The springs 36 serve to cushion movement of the pivot pin 24 and associated mechanism.

.In Figures 1 and 2, I illustrate mechanism by which the screed unit may be reciprocated. This mechanism embodies a transversely extending link 39 which has one end pivotally connected to the upper edge of the rear beam 4 of the screed unit as at 40. The opposite end of the link 39 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a crank arm 40a which is keyed on a driving shaft 4|. A jaw clutch 42, operable by a lever 43, is interposed in shaft 4| so that the screed unit may be reciprocated only when desired. The shaft 4| is driven by a driving connection 44 from motor 45. F

When the machine moves along the surface" to be finished, the screed unit is reciprocated transversely. As previously shown, the screed unit will reciprocate in a straight line. I have found that this is an important advantage 'over prior art screed units which reciprocate in an arcm If the screed unit reciprocates in an arc, it digs-further into the material, which piles in front thereof, at the center of the surface being finished than it does adjacent the edges of saidsurface, ever, when it reciprocates in a .straightdina'it advances through the material along a. straight ment of the turnbuckles 2la of the various radius rods 2|. This is desirable wh'eri'co'mpactio'n bf the material being finished is required. Also, as previously described, the finishing member or surfacing member of the screen unit may be tilt-'- ed bodily relative to the beam unit of the screed unit or it may be bent transversely of itselft o produce a troweling action. Also, the surfacing member may be readily adjusted to produce a predetermined crown on the surface finished by the machine.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is:

1. In a machine of the type described, a screed unit. means for supporting'said screed unit on said machine, said means comprising members extending laterally of the screed unit and havin one of their ends pivotally connected to said screed unit and their other ends'pivotally connected to said machine, means for reciprocating said screed unit transversely of the machine, and means for preventing said screed unit from swinging in an arc and permitting it to reciprocate in a straight line, said means comprising a floating pivot point connection at one end of each of said members which permits the pivot point to move in an arc.

2. In a machine of the type described, a screed unit, means for supporting said screed unit on said machine, said means comprising members extending rearwardly of the screed unit and having their forward ends pivotally connected to said screed unit and their rear ends pivotally connected to said machine, means for reciprocating said screed unit transversely of the machine, and means for preventing said screed unit from swinging in an arc and permitting it to reciprocate in a straight line, said means comprising pivotally mounted links each of which carries'the pivot point of one end of one of said rearwardly extending members and permits it to swing in an arc.

How-' 3. In a machine of the type described, a screed unit, means for supporting said screed unit on said machine, said means comprising members extending rearwardly of the screed unit and having their forward ends pivotally connected to said screed unit and their rear ends pivotally connected to said machine, means for reciprocating said screed unit transversely of the machine, and means for preventing said screed unit from swinging in an arc and permitting it to reciprocate in a straight line, said means comprising pivotally mounted links each of which has its outer end pivotally connected to one end of one of said rearwardly extending members and its opposite end pivoted at a point intermediate the ends of said rearwardly extending member.

4. In a machine of the type described, a screed unit, means for supporting said screed unit on said machine, said means comprising members extending rearwardly of the screed unit and having their forward ends pivotally connected to said screed unit and their rear ends pivotally connected to said machine, means for reciprocating said screed unit transversely of the machine, and means for preventing said screed unit from swinging in an arc and permitting it to reciprocate in a straight line, said means comprising links each of which has its forward end pivoted to the forward end of one of said rearwardly extending members and its rear end pivoted to said screed unit, the pivot point at the rear end of said link being disposed behind the point where it is pivotally connected to the forward end of said rearwardly extending member.

5. Ina machine of the type described, a screed unit, means for supporting said screed unit on said machine, said means comprising members extending rearwardly of the screed unit adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, the upper members being in line with the lower members, the forward ends of said members being pivotally connected to the screed unit and the rear ends thereof being pivotally connected to the machine, means for reciprocating said screed unit transversely of the machine, and means for preventing said screed unit from swinging in an arc and permitting it to reciprocate in a straight line, said means comprising pivotally mounted links each of which carries a pivot point at its forward end for one of the lower rearwardly extending members and one of the upper rearwardly extending members which are in line with each other, the rear end of said link being pivoted to said screed unit so that the forward end thereof may swing in an arc.

. JOSEPH H. MOSEL. 

